(1)

Concavity

we saw how to determine where a function is increasing and decreasing and

how this relates to drawing a graph of the function. First, recognize that simply
knowing where a function increases and decreases is not sufficient to draw a
good graph. In Figures 3.43a and 3.43b, we show two very different shapes of
increasing functions joining the same two points.
 (2)

Combining we have
 (3)

For instance, in Figure 7, B, C, D, and P are the points of inflection.

Concavity and First Derivative

 (4)
Concavity and Second Derivative
 (5)
❖ In view of the Concavity Test, there is a point of inflection at any point
where the second derivative changes sign.
(6)
(7)
Linear Approximations and Differentials
we use the tangent line at (a, f(a)) as an approximation to the curve y = f(a)when

x is near a. An equation of this tangent line is

This formula can also be expressed in terms of the increment ∆ x = x − a as

f (a + ∆ x) ≈ f (a) + 𝒇′ (a) ∆ x
(8)
Differentials (9)

This formula can also be expressed in terms of

differentials as

f (a + 𝒅 x) ≈ f (a) + 𝒅 y
L’HÔPITAL’S RULE; INDETERMINATE FORMS (10)

To motivate such a method, we can use linear approximations to suggest a

solution, as follows.

Proof
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
 (16)

EXERCISE SET 3.6